From: "Graeme Gardiner" To: "Graeme Gardiner" Subject: ACF Bulletin # 140 - 11 November 2001 Date: Sunday, November 11, 2001 9:06 ACF Bulletin # 140 - 11 November 2001 IN THIS ISSUE Time controls for Aust Champs, Time controls for Aust Junior Champs, ACF Webpage, Australian Chess Publications, Canadian becomes Australian, Australia's Premier One Day Tournament, Chess is a Sport, 2001 Grand Prix, 2002 Grand Prix, Tasmanian Open, Correspondence. TIME CONTROLS FOR THE 2002 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS The ACF Executive has the task of approving conditions at the upcoming Australian Championships. The organising committee comprising Gary Wastell and members of the Melbourne Chess Club have proposed a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from the start of the game. On the face of it this seems a sensible proposition since it is the current official FIDE time control and it can be argued that players in the Australian Championships may have to represent Australia in official FIDE events. However, the ACF has received several emails from leading Australian players criticising these time controls and suggesting more traditional (longer) controls. Some have been published under correspondence in the last two issues and more are published in this issue. One time control that has been suggested is 90 mins a side plus 60 seconds per move from the start of the game. The ACF Executive is very keen to receive (and publish in this bulletin) emails in favour of the time controls as proposed by the organising committee so that we can get some balance in our deliberations. We are, of course, open to receive more emails against. Please email me on ggardiner@auschess.org.au. The webpage for the Australian Championships is at http://chess.weblinks.com.au/austch.htm I understand more information will be added shortly. TIME CONTROLS FOR THE 2002 AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS The ACF Executive have also been given the task of approving conditions at the upcoming Australian juniors. However, the ACF National Conference is being held in Melbourne on 6 January 2002 which is before the Australian Juniors commence. The following motion received from the NSWCA/NSWJCL ensures the matter of the time controls for this event will be decided at the conference. Again, if anyone would like to send opinions on this matter, please email me on ggardiner@auschess.org.au and I'll ensure that the email is published in the bulletin. Submission by: Richard Gastineau-Hills NSWJCL Tournament Coordinator & Junior Representative to the NSWCA. At the last ACF Council Meeting (17 September) the NSWJCL's proposed time limits for the coming Australian Junior Championships to be held in Sydney next January were discussed. The NSWJCL had proposed the following time limits: Under 18: 90 minutes per player plus an additional 60 seconds per move (from move 1) Under 12: 60 minutes per player plus an additional 60 seconds per move (from move 1) The ACF Council, however, decided to reduce the increment from 60 seconds to 30 seconds, apparently to comply with the increment advocated by FIDE for some of its tournaments. This 30 second increment has also been adopted for the next Australian Championships and this has generated considerable controversy. The NSWJCL believes that a 30 second increment is quite inappropriate for a major junior event, for the following reasons: (1) Recording of moves is compulsory with an increment of 30 seconds or more; many juniors (particularly in the Under 12 tournament) will have great difficulty in recording moves as well as thinking in only 30 seconds. This is why the NSWJCL proposed the 60 second increment in the first place. Some adults would even have difficulty, but children - many of whom are relatively inexperienced at recording moves - are much more likely to become distressed in such situations. The result will inevitably be poor quality games and distorted results caused by blunders and losses on time. It should be remembered that the Australian Junior Championships are not just for the top players - the Zong-Yuan Zhaos and the David Smerdons to whom the recording of moves comes naturally - but this event also attracts many far less experienced players. Between 100 and 200 players from all over Australia participate in this event each year and, although every attempt is made to ensure minimum standards for participation, it would be unrealistic to expect that young players would not be adversely effected by having to think and record in only 30 seconds. (2) With only one round per day there is no need to have such a fast time limit. Players have allocated two weeks of their lives to competing in this event and they are entitled to be given good playing conditions - these include a time limit that enables them to play good quality games that reflect their capabilities. (3) The recent push by FIDE towards faster and faster time limits is strongly opposed by many players as it reduces the quality of chess played. It should be noted that FIDE does not require us to adopt these time limits. Indeed, at the FIDE Executive Board's recent meeting in Greece, when time limits were adopted for various FIDE events, it was decided that "Organisers of private tournaments are free to choose the time limit. As long as it is according to the regulations the rating changes will be calculated and title norms are valid". Given the strong opposition to FIDE's proposed time limit, we believe that the ACF should not insist on it for its tournaments, particularly when the organisers of a tournament recommend an alternative which is likely to be more popular with players (and their parents). (4) The argument that, if the time limit for the Australian Championships is 90 minutes plus a 30 second increment, then the time limit for the Australian Junior Championships should not be longer, is invalid for the reason stated in (1) above, namely, that young players need more time for the compulsory recording of moves. This argument is also revealing in that it implies that a "less important" tournament (the junior event) should not have a longer time limit than a "more important" one - in other words that there is a correlation between the standing or "importance" of a tournament and longer time limits. Why then are we adopting such short time limits for our most prestigious events? (5) It has also been suggested that arbiters can be flexible in enforcing the compulsory recording of moves for juniors who are encountering difficulties. We believe, however, that it unacceptable to insist on a rule for some players and not others - this would place the arbiter on very dangerous ground as it can only lead to accusations of unfairness. It would also effectively mean that the recording of moves is no longer compulsory. In view of the above, we propose that the following motion be put to the ACF National Conference in January. Motion: That the ACF revoke its decision on time limits for the Australian Junior Championships made at its Council meeting on 17 September and instead adopt the recommendation of the NSW Junior Chess League (the organisers of the 2002 Australian Junior Championships); namely, that the Under 18 time limit for each player shall be 90 minutes for the game plus 60 seconds per move (from move 1), and the Under 12 time limit for each player shall be 60 minutes for the game plus 60 seconds per move (from move 1). Note: The NSWJCL has advertised (on its webpage) the time limit as decided upon by the ACF on 17 September. However, the NSWJCL intends to add a note to the effect that the increment may increase to 60 seconds if the proposed motion is adopted at the ACF National Conference. ACF WEBPAGE www.auschess.org.au ACF webmaster Paul Broekhuyse is trying to put together on the ACF webpage the best 30 games ever played in Australia. He would welcome any submissions on broekhuysep@hotmail.com. Paul's interstate challenge is proceeding well with some interesting games being played at http://www.auschess.org.au/interstate/istatemain.htm With regard to Australasian Chess Online, Paul has several friends trialling the service. The ACF has been reluctant to launch the new site until there is a guaranteed critical mass of players in the world zone. We are just awaiting the USCF to sign documents releasing their 20,000 players from US Chess Live into the world zone before proceeding. We apologise for the long delay in launching this project but nothing has been lost and we hope it will be worth the wait. Paul has changed the format of the ACF Bulletin Board http://www.chessnetwork.com/ncn/c/bb.htm as he was receiving too many offensive/defamatory posts. This was a very prudent measure from a legal point of view. The board is now a little more cumbersome but I'm sure that the quality of debate on any number of issues will improve. Personally I enjoy many of the debates. For instance recently it was suggested that we develop the culture of teams chess in Australia. The teams culture should naturally extend from primary to secondary to university to club etc. It was also suggested that late night club finishes were bad and that time should specifically be set aside for socialisation at every club night. More women at club nights would obviously lead to a better social environment. Many thanks to Paul for the great work he is doing in making the site interesting and active. AUSTRALIAN CHESS PUBLICATIONS If you are responsible for publishing a chess magazine, you may not be aware that you are required by law to furnish a copy (known as a legal deposit) of each issue to the National Library of Australia, Canberra. It is also a good idea to send a copy to your state library and also to the MV Anderson Chess Collection, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne Vic 3000. CANADIAN BECOMES AUSTRALIAN Dr Peter Dauvergne, who has lived in Australia for many years and who becomes an Australian citizen in two weeks, has officially been transferred from Canada to Australia on the FIDE ratings list. A very belated welcome Peter. Peter with a FIDE rating of 2232 who works at the University of Sydney, is the Australian expert on "The Case for Chess as a Tool to Develop our Children's Minds". AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER ONE DAY CHESS TOURNAMENT This is being held at Glenelg, Adelaide on Boxing Day. This five hour, seven round 15 mins a side event has a $1,000 first prize. Full details at: http://www.geocities.com/chess_sa/Frames/BaySport.htm CHESS IS A SPORT ABC TV Stateline ran a four minute story last week on the fight to have chess recognised as a sport. In the story I was quite critical of Sports Minister Jacky Kelly who, in my opinion, has just been doing the bidding of her bureaucrats who have a vested interest in not having any more sports. Non chess friends of mine told me that the way the story was presented they couldn't understand why chess isn't recognised as a sport. I make no bones of the fact that I would be very happy to see Ms Kelly replaced as Sports Minister. I will continue to work with my MP Margaret May to achieve our goal of having chess recognised as a sport. Whilst the Labor Party policy on sport wasn't exactly what we wanted, it was certainly an improvement as far as chess is concerned on that of the Liberal Party. This is part of the policy taken from their webpage: "Labor also recognises that many recreational activities enjoy tremendous popular support, and in some cases may warrant assistance at a federal level. Labor will assess the feasibility of including recreational activities within Active Australia's charter so that Australians participating in non-traditional physical activities are recognised and assisted. Labor will foster and develop the relationship between all National Sporting Organisations and the wider sporting community to help them meet key criteria and continue to build both junior development and national competitions". 2001 GRAND PRIX - NORM BRAYBROOKE (Norm's email address is chessnut@windsor.net.au and webpage http://crcchess.topcities.com/GP2001.htm) Just a reminder that we welcome more details of Grand Prix events for publication in this bulletin. The remaining events for 2001 are: 17/18 Nov Taree RSL Spring Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au 24/25 Nov NSWCA Cat 1 Robert Keast 02 9649 8614 rkeast@comtech.com.au 8/9 Dec Tuggeranong Vikings Weekender ACT Cat 1 Lee Forace 02 9556 3960 ljforace@hotmail.com 15/16 Dec Melbourne Chess Club Christmas Swiss VIC Cat 2 Malcolm Pyke dexter@labyrinth.net.au 15/16 Dec Fairfield RSL Pre Christmas Cup NSW Cat 2 Rolando Atienza 0421379940 atienzarolando@hotmail.com.au 2002 GRAND PRIX http://crcchess.topcities.com/GP2002.html We have now received 11 events for the 2002 Grand Prix. 9/10 Feb Newcastle Open NSW Cat 2 George Lithgow 02 4943 3862 george.lithgow@bigpond.com 16/17 Feb Taree RSL Summer Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au 16/17 Mar Dubbo RSL Open NSW Cat 1 Alexander Aich 02 6884 4561 sjaich@tpg.com.au 29 Mar to 1 Apl Doeberl Cup ACT Cat 3 Roger McCart 02 6251 6190 roger.mccart@anu.edu.au 4/5 May Laurieton May Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au 22/23 June Taree RSL Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au 22/23 June Gold Coast Open QLD Cat 3 Graeme Gardiner 07 5530 5794 ggardiner@auschess.org.au 10/11 August Coal City Open NSW Cat 2 George Lithgow 02 4943 3862 george.lithgow@bigpond.com 21/22 Sept Gold Coast Classic QLD Cat 3 Graeme Gardiner 07 5530 5794 ggardiner@auschess.org.au 2/3 Nov Laurieton Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au 16/17 Nov Taree RSL Spring Open NSW Cat 1 Endel Lane 02 6559 9060 endel@fasternet.com.au It would be appreciated if states avoided two Grand Prix events being run on the same weekend in the same state. TASMANIAN OPEN BURNIE, 3-5 NOVEMBER Former Tasmanian Simon Browne easily won the 2001 Tasmanian Open over a relatively weak field after his only serious rival on paper, Kevin Bonham, suffered an extremely rare first-round loss at the hands of Nigel Lewis. Lewis was one of three players to greatly impress in the event despite their indifferent ratings, the others being Nick Cuff and Charles Chadwick. Full reports on ACF and TCA websites soon. Final Scores: 5.5/6 Simon Browne 1913 (VIC) 4/6 Kevin Bonham 1892, Charles Chadwick 1533 3.5/6 Nick Cuff 1451 (J) (U1500 prize) , Lazar Divkovic 1641 (4th-5th), Neville Ledger 1552 (U1600 prize), Nigel Lewis 1468 (4th-5th) 3/6 John Blaikie 1498, Janice Martin 1421 (F), Novica Radovanovic 1571 2/6 Leo Minol 1269, Milutin Ivkovic (UNR) 1/6 Zdravka Djekanovic (UNR, F) .5/6 Persa Divkovic 1094 (F) The Tasmanian Lightning Championships, held on the same weekend as a six-player double round-robin, was won by Andrew Todd 7.5/10, from Kevin Bonham 7, Nick Cuff 5.5, Lazar Divkovic and Reg Harvey 4, and Charles Chadwick 2. CORRESPONDENCE IAN ROGERS Dear Graeme, I would like to add a few words in support of Tim Reilly's complaint about the time control at the upcoming Australian Championships and Australian Junior Championships. Australia's most prestigious tournament deserves a serious time control. The example we should be following is not the FIDE World Championship, which seems to change its time control every year, but rather the world's top tournaments such as Linares, Wijk aan Zee or Dortmund, which use traditional time controls and give players enough time to produce top quality chess. The new FIDE time control has already been shown to have serious defects and to copy it before the problems have been ironed out would be foolhardy. Some of the problems are connected to the limitations of the DGT clock and the FIDE time control will probably be changed again with the arrival of a new, more flexible DGT clock in six months time. I have no objection to minor Australian tournaments experimenting with the FIDE time control, but our best one-round-per-day events should use the best possible time control. In my opinion that is 40 moves in 2 hours, 20 moves in a hour, plus 15 minutes with a 20 second per move add-on from move 60, but many similar time-controls are also quite suitable for an Australian Championship. The proposed time control is not one of them. Ian Rogers JOHN PAUL WALLACE Hi Graeme, So far everyone I have spoken to thinks the proposed Aus Champ time controls are grossly inappropriate. My question is can, and will, the ACF over-rule the organising commitee's decision...if it becomes clear that the overwhelming majority of players are against the controls. Personally, I am only lobbying for a change in the elite section of the event... I don't think this would be the act of a dictatorship but rather facilitating the process of democracy based on majority rules and considering the best interests of the chess players themselves. Look forward to your response, John-Paul JASON LYONS Graeme, 90 minutes + 30 second increments per move is a perfectly sensible time control. It provides for good quality chess and allows more than 1 round per day to be played. However it stands in contradiction to the traditional time structure for the Australian Championships [ie 1 game per day with 2 rest days spliced in]. Such a time control leaves players idle for much of the tournament - most games will last 2-4 hours. Either the event should be compacted, so that less than 2 weeks is required; or a more lengthy control should be implemented. The current solution is half-baked. As an organiser I would compact the tournament - the rest days are redundant at 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move. I note that leading players are unananimously in favour of a longer time control. Players views should be strongly considered. Best wishes, Jason Lyons BILL JORDAN Graeme, The proposed 90 min/30 sec per move time limit is very close to 40/90, 20/20, 10/10 which was designed originally to allow 3 rounds per day in a weekender (and for a long time, the fastest that was rateable). For the Aust champs (or Olympiad) it seems a little over the top. I really don't think it's a good idea for the ACF to automatically adopt everything suggested by Fide. A few years ago Fide said a player floats down to play the middle of the field, rather than the top. This absurdity allowed a player who drew against a weak player in round 1 to win the top Australian in an Aust Open by playing a very weak field. Fide has said its ok to touch the rook first when castling then changes its mind. Fide has sometimes said silly things, and to apply them to situations where they are less relevant is even sillier. If Fide says the queen moves like a knight, the ACF will say the queen moves like a knight. A bit more thought needs to be put into decisions of time limits. Capablanca once said 40/2 hrs was an ideal time limit and there's no reason why an equivalent using increments isn't used say at least 90 minutes plus 2 minutes/move. I think both Karpov and Kasparov have protested about reductions in time limits. With shorter time limits people get less value for their entry fee. Bill Jordan PAUL DUNN Dear Graeme, I have been trying to locate the games from the Australian Open played in Sydney in 1996/97. I have not been able to locate the gamescores, but perhaps someone reading your newsletter knows where they are. In the meantime, I am trying to locate gamescore from players who played in the event. I would like to request any players who played in that event to send their gamescores to me so that I can publish a record of the games on the ACF Games Archive website. I will attempt to contact players individually as I find their addresses. So far, Andrew Allen has kindly sent me his games and Ian Rogers has contributed a number of the games from his personal database and a few other players have indicated to me that they still have their gamescores and that I can have access to them. Many thanks Paul Dunn pdunn88@aol.com With very best wishes to all. Graeme Gardiner President Australian Chess Federation 11 Hardys Road Mudgeeraba Queensland 4213 Phone +61 7 5530 5794 Mobile 0438 305797 Fax +61 7 5530 6959 Email ggardiner@auschess.org.au Chess - the Clever Sport!